This weekend’s NextGen Preview Showcase presented by HoopSeen was a great event that

showcased some great talent at the middle school level. Below we take a look at some

of today’s top performers.

 

Mymphis Dixon, 2030

 

Dixon is a tall, lenghty, and athletic forward with an array of creative finishes. Today’s

action saw him rip a rebound off the glass, and immediately took it coast to coast,

leaping past multiple defenders and stretching out his arms to finish high off the glass.

This play is one of just many that caught the eye of everyone in attendance. Dyxon’s

speed, athleticism and length are his greatest strength. However, his decision making

could be much quicker and he has a tendency to play hero ball when frustrated. All in

all, Dyxon had a good day. It’s too early to say, but he reminds me of former Brookwood

guard, Micah Kinsey. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Kennedi Robinson, 2030

 

Kennedi Robinson is a fast, athletic guard with a serviceable handle. He is a great

finisher as he uses his blade-like frame to slice through defenders and drive in between

gaps with violence. He has a multitude of creative finishes but it’s not all fancy.

Robinson is not afraid of contact, in fact he invites it. He plays the game with the

mentality of an old school guard. His shooting is inconsistent but his energy and

intensity will carry him until he can develop a serviceable jumper. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Derrick Green 2031

 

The small guard was the type of guard that coaches love. Green is diminutive in size, but

his sound decision making and leadership help him accel. During skill development

drills today, he stopped and commanded the other players to get in their correct spots

and go harder. In 5-on-5 play, his inability to go left did show. However, he is good at

changing pace which gets him open for his consistent mid-range jumpshot. He had a

solid day, but in the future, I would like to see how he improves. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Aiden Mitchell 2030

 

By the time Aiden walked into the gym, stretched, and eventually finished the skill work

drills, I had him pegged as raw, wide-body wing, maybe a small ball four if needed. But

as the gym cleared and I began summarizing each athlete, Mitchell was the player I was

most excited to write about. Let’s be clear, he is a combo guard. And furthermore, he

was one of the most impressive at the event. With great size for a guard, a natural feel

for competition, and a toughness that mirrors his Hinesville roots, Mitchell physically

imposes his will on his defender. He bounces off of opponents in a bowling ball manner

on the way to the rim. Away from the basket, he is graceful and calm. He knows where

all other nine players are at all times and it’s obvious with his constant passing prowess.

What’s even better is that Mitchell seems to like defense. With more polishing, and the

development of his left hand finsihing, the Liberty County native (who shares a city and

last name with former Baylor guard Davion Mitchell) would mirror former Pebblebrook

standout Ty Hudson. I am excited to see where the game of basketball takes him. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Corey Wallace 2031

 

Wallace certainly looks the part of a basketball player. He moves with a bit of fluidity in

drillwork. He’s a wing with size and has many counter moves. Until he grows into his

body, he’ll drag his size 12 sneakers to any spot on the court and rise over his defender

with touch. Wallace also showed somewhat of a motor on the offensive glass, followed

by a few post moves that impressed me. Overall, the day was up and down for Corey,

but his ability to be coachable coupled with his developing talent left a buzz amongst

everyone in attendance. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Zavier Pointer 2030

 

Throughout the day, Pointer seemed to give the most effort. He operated with atleticism

of a cornerback. He used his speed to push past slower defenders and finish through

contact consistently. Whether a make or miss, he is usually the first player down the

court, and many times it’s with the ball in his hand. Once he learns to dribble in

transition with his eyes up, he’ll obtain the ability to be a solid point guard. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Sawyer Finley 2030

 

Finley is a lanky athlete who commands his own space in the lane with wide elbows and

arms that seem to reach the ceiling. He operates from his good basketball IQ primarily.

When he catches the ball high, smaller defenders are at his mercy as he has developed

the skill of keeping the ball high through his finish. Whether with his left or right hand,

Finley will attack from seventeen feet without fear. On the defensive end, I loved watching him switch onto perimeter players without hesitation and a bit of success. He makes good reads and has solid vision. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Aiden Goode 2031

 

There’s good, there’s really good, then there’s Aiden Goode. From the moment the

basketballs rolled out and sneakers hit the court, Goode seemed to separate himself

from the pack. He has a twitchy handle attached to his great frame. He picks defenses

apart, zipping passes across court, toying with defenders on the perimeter, and finishing

with ease. He was coachable and seemed to pick up anything that was said on

command. He possesses a consistent floater that is impressive at his age. It’s hard to say if

he is a good shooter or not. Truthfully, he never settled… if he could beat you, he simply

did. In skill-work however, I did notice he has good mechanics that may lead to

something promising. Most kids his age just are not at his level, and his body and game

remind me of former Shiloh guard, Zawdie Jackson. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Braden Maloney 2030

 

I tried thinking of one word to summarize the game of Maloney. I failed at this task, but I

can give you three: smooth, steady, smart. The kid just simply makes the right play

every time. He doesn’t wow anyone with speed or athleticism, but defenders tend be

dazed whenever Maloney has the ball. Whether he’s firing up three pointers followed by

celebrations, or snatching errant passes then throwing dimes to his teammates, you can

guarantee Maloney is going to fill the stat sheet in each game. His IQ is through the roof, his ceiling is high, and he will only get better. I’ll finish this with three more words:

BUY. STOCK. NOW. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Asher Thomas 2030

 

Thomas keeps it simple. He shows good footwork in catch and shoot drills and finishes

high on his follow through. All of this was on display during today’s 5-on-5 action, as

Thomas got hot and burned the nets. Every time he made one three, it was

followed by another. Defenders were helpless closing out to the corners and wings

where he operates most. He also plays the passing lanes well and shows enough

speed to get out ahead and finish. As her gets stronger and more of handle, he’ll be a

great prospect in the coming years. - AJ Cheeseman

 

Championship Team

Corey Wallace

Aiden Mitchell

Derrick Green

Braden Maloney

Stephen Weed

Coach Nick Osborne

All-Camp Team

Mymphis Dixon

Sawyer Finley

Kennedi Robinson

Aiden Mitchell

Corey Wallace

MVP

Aiden Goode